Sivaraasa Anojan Case: Special Team of Lawyers Travels to Saudi Arabia

06-Oct-2026

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A special team of lawyers left Sri Lanka on 5 October 2026 to undertake legal proceedings in connection with the case of Sri Lankan national Sivaraasa Anojan, who has been sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia.

President’s Counsel Upul Kumarapperuma confirmed this when contacted yesterday for further details. The delegation travelling to Saudi Arabia includes Member of Parliament and President’s Counsel Faizer Mustapha, Additional Solicitor General Asad Nawavi of the Attorney General’s Department, and President’s Counsel Hafeel Farisz.

The delegation is expected to hold discussions on October 7 or 8 with representatives of two bar associations in Saudi Arabia. An appeal seeking a reduction of Anojan’s sentence is also expected to be filed before the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia through the Attorney General’s Department.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the Sri Lankan Embassy in Saudi Arabia is closely monitoring the matter and continues to coordinate with the Saudi authorities through diplomatic channels.

President’s Counsel Upul Kumarapperuma said that the legal provisions relating to obtaining a pardon for Anojan would be examined in detail. The discussions will also focus on the legal procedures for submitting a request for a pardon to the Saudi Government, headed by the King, without affecting the ongoing judicial proceedings.